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Name or DOB Different in Documents: Passport Solutions

By Kusum, Passport help desk, Dehradun (since 2019) · Updated

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Independent guide by India Customer Care. Not the Ministry of External Affairs or Passport Seva. Apply only at passportindia.gov.in.

On this page
  1. Which document wins?
  2. Fix it by case
  3. Self-declaration, affidavit or gazette?
  4. Frequently asked questions
  5. Related guides on our other websites
  6. Sources

Documents that don't match are the number-one reason files are held at our PSK. Fix them before you apply. Pick one main document (usually the 10th certificate, birth certificate or PAN), fill the form exactly as it says, and correct Aadhaar and PAN to match it. Small spelling differences are usually settled with a self-declaration at the PSK.

Which document wins?

The passport follows your date-of-birth proof. The 10th certificate, birth certificate and PAN are the most trusted. Aadhaar is not date-of-birth proof at all (see is Aadhaar valid as DOB proof?).

Fix it by case

Name spelled differently

  • Easiest: correct Aadhaar and PAN to match the 10th certificate.
  • Or: use a higher education certificate whose name matches Aadhaar and PAN instead of the 10th.
  • A small difference (one letter, initials expanded) is usually handled with a self-declaration on plain paper written at the PSK.

Surname added, missing or changed

  • Adding or removing a surname, or changing the given name, is a major change: you need newspaper advertisements (one local, one national) or a gazette notification. Government employees need the gazette.
  • Example: the 10th certificate says "Rohan" but all other documents say "Rohan Sharma". Adding "Sharma" needs an advertisement or gazette.
  • Never add a surname in the form that isn't on your documents.

Father's or mother's name different

  • Fill the parents' names as in your date-of-birth proof.
  • If the 10th certificate has a mistake, get it corrected through the board, or apply with your birth certificate if that is correct.
  • If a parent legally changed their name, carry the parent's passport or ID and the two newspaper cuttings of that change.

Date of birth different

  • If the 10th certificate is wrong, use the birth certificate, and a higher certificate for Non-ECR.
  • If the 10th is your only proof, correct the other documents to match it.
  • Changing the date of birth after a passport is issued is very hard and mostly rejected, so get it right the first time.

Surname changed after marriage

  • At least one ID, such as Aadhaar, should show your husband's surname and the marital address.
  • A marriage certificate is best, but Annexure J can replace it. See annexure forms.
  • Taking only the husband's surname (for example Reshma Sharma to Reshma Agarwal) needs no advertisement. Changing the given name does.

Self-declaration, affidavit or gazette?

DifferenceUsually needed
Small spelling differenceSelf-declaration on plain paper, written at the PSK
Minor spelling correction in the passportNotarised affidavit on stamp paper (in Dehradun about ₹120 in total)
Add or remove a surname, change the given nameTwo newspaper advertisements, or a gazette notification
Government employee changing nameGazette notification
From our passport deskIn one case a mother's name was spelled differently on her child's birth certificate. The file was held until the birth certificate was corrected. Checking every name and date before booking would have saved weeks and an appointment.

Already have a passport with wrong details? See correct details in a passport.

Frequently asked questions

Which document does the passport follow?

Your date-of-birth proof, most often the 10th certificate. Fill the form exactly as in that document and bring the others in line with it.

Is an affidavit enough for a small spelling difference?

Often yes. Small differences are usually settled with a self-declaration on plain paper at the PSK. Bigger changes need a newspaper advertisement or gazette.

Do I need a marriage certificate to use my husband's surname?

Not always. At least one ID, such as Aadhaar, should show the new surname. Annexure J can replace a marriage certificate.

Sources